Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
$6,501Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Postmodern panel of 9 sconces in pulegoso murano glass, Mazzega 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Catania, CT
Composed of 9 Murano glass wall lamps produced by Mazzega in the 1970s. They can be installed as a panel or separately as 9 individual sconces. Full working with EU standard, adaptab...
Murano Glass
$895Sale Price / set|55% Off
Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s
By Zonca
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair of Post-Modern wall lamps by Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the post-modern style of the 80s. The fan-shaped Murano glass takes up the pastel color...
Murano Glass
Kazuhide Takahama Totem Floor Lamp, Sirrah Italy 1981
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare Kazuhide Takahama “Totem” floor lamp is one of his most sculptural and architectural lighting designs, designed in the late 70s for Sirrah...
Cement, Metal, Brass
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide 'Sintesi Faretto' Wall Light in Green
By Artemide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, wall light, model 'Sintesi Faretto', first edition, Cornalux bulb included, coated iron, coated steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, Italy, 1976 The foun...
Aluminum, Iron
A Sculptural POST-MODERN LUCITE TABLE LAMP by ALESSIO TASCA, FUSINA, Italy 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and sculptural table lamp in prism, Post-Modernist, Seventies, Kinetic, Pop, body in a rectangular block of solid plexiglass with curved cut sides, forming a kind of p...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Monica Wall Light in Linen and Wool by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Monica Wall Light in Linen and Wool by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 40 x D 9 x H 26 cm. Materials: Premium linen base structure completed with embroidered wool patterns. Fabric is ...
Wool, Linen
$819Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamp by Josep Llusca for Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet, Josep Llusca
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Beech Wood Table Lamp by Blauet. Model: B1458-12 Cherry / Satin Nickel. This Table Lamp was designed by Josep Llusca for Blauet, S....
Metal
A Large POST-MODERN MODERNIST TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A very large and elegant table lamp, Post-Modernist, large cubic base in thick nickel-plated bronze plates, topped by a thin cylindrical axis and a beautiful circular lampshade, by P...
Bronze, Nickel
$2,854 / item
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 12 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bl...
Alabaster, Copper
up-lighter Floor lamp Tronconi - design Barbieri & Marianelli - model 'Frack'
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage 1980s floor lamp designed by the Italian company Tronconi, designed by Barbieri and Marianelli, model 'Frack' Stylish and sleek design, design from 1984. The lamp consists o...
Metal
Tizio Adjustable Black Table Lamp from Richard Sapper for Artemide, 1972
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is a highly sought-after adjustable table lamp, designed by the renowned Richard Sapper for the prestigious Italian design brand Artemide. Originally conceived and manufactured ...
Aluminum
$4,800 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba lamp is a clay lamp handmade by artisans from Yucatan and designed by Chuch Estudio. The large scale clay as an ancestral tradition allowed the pr...
Clay
Post Modern Brushed Metal Dual Light Table Lamp by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
Post Modern Brushed Metal Dual Table Lamp by Michael Graves, circa 1990s. Add a bold Postmodern touch with this Brushed Metal Dual Table Lamp by Michael Graves. This lamp is in good ...
Metal
$698 / item
Lounge Jade Green Wall Sconce by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Lounge Jade Green Wall Sconce by MUG Dimensions: Ø 8,5 x H 25 cm (customizable height) Materials: Borosilicate glass, Mouth-blown glass, LEDs, Alumin...
Aluminum, Bronze, Pewter
Postmodern Pyramide Shape Floor or Table Lamp from Heico, 1980s
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern pyramid-shaped floor or table lamp by Heico. These lamps feature the graphic shape of a pyramid. The color scheme further enhances the clean, minimalist design. A strikin...
Plastic
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 18 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
Geometric Flush Mount Lights by Philips in Metal & Opaline Glass, 1960
By Philips
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful burnt orange and white flush mount lights by Philips, in enameled metal and opaline glass light covers, porcelain sockets, 4 available, wired for US standards, one E27 sock...
Metal
Postmodern German Vela Sail Floor Lamp A. Engbert Franz Ringelhan for Rolf Benz
By Rolf Benz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by Rolf Benz based on a design by A. Engbert and F. Ringelhan from 1990. The design clearly shows its maritime inspiration. An abstract sailboat with an exagg...
Aluminum
Michael Taylor Style Sculptural Modern Plaster Twist Spiral Column Table Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Chunky and substantial Michael Taylor style twisted spiral table lamp, circa 1980's. This architectural column form lamp features a textural warm matte white/cream plaster finish. La...
Plaster
Artemide Wall Lights Steve Lombardi Filicudara Sconces, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair (2) aluminum post modern wall lamps by Steve Lombardi for Artemide, circa 1980 Italy Original, marked pair of post-modern sconces, 100W each, Edis...
Aluminum
Chrome finish Three Spheres lighting pendant by Tom Dixon, 21st century
By Tom Dixon
Located in View Park, CA
A mirror ball trio pendant light by Tom Dixon, early 21st century.
Acrylic
Hero Lamp by Panorammma, Brass-Plated Stainless Steel, Stone Sphere, Sculptural
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Hero Lamp is a sculptural floor lamp virtuously crafted in stainless steel with a brass plated finish which holds a stone globe that gives off a warm candle-like light. This unique...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$5,484 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
Rare Antonio Macchi For Arteluce Pair of '610' Table Lamps
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Antonio Macchi For Arteluce, pair of table lamps, model '610', chrome-plated steel, lacquered steel, lacquered aluminum, Italy, 1973 Antonio Cassia is an Italian industrial designer...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$480 / item
Isaac Maxwell Metal Wall Light Fixtures
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful architectural metal wall fixture designed by Isaac Maxwell Metal features a plated copper star pattern with punched holes that cast softly diff...
Copper
Ceramic "Weightlifter" Sconce, Muscular Arm with Dumbbell, by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
This wall sconce or table lamp, depicting a muscular arm with a dumbbell, was made by J.C. Peiré Productions, a small Marseille-based workshop run by ceramicist Jean-Claude Peiré (19...
Ceramic
Jan Van Lierde Echos Dimmable Floor Lamp for Artemide, 1980s
By Artemide
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Echos floor lamp designed in the 1980s by Jean Van Lierde and produced by Artemide. The sculptural tower lamp features three separate light sources; halogen at the top, a dimmable sw...
Aluminum, Steel
Postmodern Multi-Arm Spider Floor Lamp by Leitmotiv, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Postmodern multi-arm floor lamp produced by Leitmotiv during the 1980s. Commonly referred to as a “spider” lamp, the design features five independently adjustable arms extending fro...
Metal
$319 / item
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Stambha Noir Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 26.67 x H 198.12 cm Materials: Engineered wood Stambha Noir is a striking sculptural column defined by its stacked, geometric black fo...
Wood
Set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill" Arteluce wall sconces, 1980's
By Arteluce, Perry King and Santiago Miranda
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A large set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill " Arteluce wall sconces by Perry King and S. Miranda, available for purchase per piece. The design i...
Metal
$7,500 / item
Serge Castella Chandelier, circa 2000, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Large "Spring" chandelier by Serge Castella. Custom-made. Signed and numbered. Metal and plaster. France, circa 2000. Excellent condition. Serge Castella Interiors focuses on Antique...
Metal
Postmodern German Lumibär Bear Floor Lamp by Klein & Leidig for Flötotto, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Lumibär is a design classic from Flötotto. THE glowing bear. Here in a very rare reclining version. Not just for the children's room. The design is so simple that it also fits w...
Plastic
Italian Post-Modern Adjustable Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bosi, Martini and Bertotti for Fratelli Martini, 'Art. 225/1' floor lamp, cast iron, lacquered aluminum, Italy, ca. 1974-1975 This Italian post-modern floor lamp stands as a light s...
Aluminum, Iron
$1,326 / item
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 12 cm Materials: opaline acrylic, bronze, bulit in dimmer switch and warm LED light. Fittings also av...
Bronze, Other
Hala Zeist Halogen Table Lamp Post Modern 1980s Holland
By Hala Zeist
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice futuristic Post Modern Table lamp . Good quality lamp . Halogen ,comes with a good working dimmer .
Metal
Pair Of Post-Modern Wall Lights By Holtkoetter Germany 1980's Brass Articulating
By Holtkoetter
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of vintage wall lamps (sconces) by Holtkoetter, Germany, ca' 1980's. High quality, brass construction. Each one with articulating arm. Takes 100 watt bulb, dimmer switch. Ful...
Brass
Vintage Postmodern Balart Ceiling Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant ceiling light from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the late 1980s. A postmodern design. This lamp convinces with its elegant design languag...
Metal
Postmodern Pink Ceramic and Lucite Swirled Table Lamp
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Outstanding vintage postmodern ceramic table lamp. Features a pink glass finish over the twisted rectangular body. 3 way lighting.
Ceramic
"La Falene" Table Lamp ITALY 1980s
Located in Forest, BE
Designed by Piero de Martini for Arteluce the “Le Falene” lamp consists of a white and diffusible drape on top of a red lacquered structure. The design of this piece is delicate and ...
Metal
Postmodern Danish Light Blue Perforated Metal Pendant from Abo Randers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wall lamp by Danish manufacturer Abo Randers from the 1980s. The lamp body consists of a metal sheet bent into a large radius and painted blue. The front part is designed as a shade...
Metal
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 160 x D 160 x H 365 cm. Materials: Steel, White Oak, Dark Bronze Finish. This listing f...
Steel
Vico Magistretti Pair of Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
Located in Milan, IT
Vico Magistretti Pair of indoor or outdoor Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
Metal
$14,310 / item
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 11 x W 185 x H 21 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,250Sale Price|30% Off
Aha Table Lamp by Demeter, France, c.1980
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This rare 1980s French postmodern "Aha" table lamp, designed by Olivier Verlet for Demeter, features an ingenious articulated body crafted from a heavy-duty aluminum folding d...
Aluminum, Brass
Beautiful 1970s Limburg glass ceiling lamp in octagon shape
Located in München, BY
Beautiful original 1970s glass ceiling lamp in an octagonal shape. The shade has small air bubbles. Manufactured by Limburg. Very high-quality workmanship. Made in Germany. Mounts d...
Brass
$1,890Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of "Cocktail" Jill Wall Lamps by King and Miranda for Arteluce, 1980s
By Arteluce, Perry King and Santiago Miranda
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful pair of Italian White Wall Sconces from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Italy by Perry King and Santiago Miranda. The name of the manufacturer "Arteluce"...
Metal
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Philippe Starck. Limited edition “Toobe” table lamp by Kartell, Italy, 2000s
By Ferruccio Laviani, Philippe Starck, Kartell
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Philipp Stark. Limited edition "Toobe" table lamp by Kartell, Italy, 2000s. Composed of a transparent PMMA cylinder with the names of the authors of Rowohlt printed on it, and a whit...
Plexiglass, Plaster
Tom Dixon iconic stackable floor lamp-stool 'Jack' 1994 - DESIGN AWARD WINNER
By Tom Dixon
Located in The Hague, NL
The Jack Lamp, designed by Tom Dixon in 1994, is an iconic and playful design object that combines art, functionality, and innovation. This striking lamp, also known as the "sitting,...
Acrylic
Sculptural Light No. 130, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 130 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 55 x W 95 x H 75 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Brass & Glass Chandelier by Vaughan Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid brass and hand-blown glass lantern light designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Vaughan Designs. The piece has beautiful lines and is perfect for mid-century to ...
Brass
Alessandro Mendini Artemide Sidecar Table Lamp Murano Glass Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Artemide, VeArt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alessandro Mendini for Artemide Sidecar table lamp Postmodern Murano glass, 1980s. Exceedingly rare Memphis era design, signed. Gorgeous blush pink, t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 117 x D 224 x H 21 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Brass, Bronze
Bernhard Dessecker, Swingading Floor Lamp, Ingo Maurer / Design M, Germany, 1993
By Ingo Maurer, Susanne and Bernhard Dessecker
Located in Krefeld, DE
Bernhard Dessecker Swingading floor lamp, designed 1993, produced by Ingo Maurer / Design M, Munich. Metal, plastic, and glass. The upper section of the flexible stem can be fixed in...
Metal
Pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA 1987
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illuminate your space with this stunning pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, crafted in the USA in 1987. These sleek and modern lamps feature a strik...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$5,733 / item
Halo 62 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Halo 49 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 62 x H 7 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 12.7 x D 12.7 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster with LEDs Based in, produced and shipped ...
Concrete, Other
$1,250Sale Price|72% Off
Fontana Arte Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi 1980s Crystal Flush Light
By Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
An original 1988 Fontana Arte model # 2792 flush ceiling light composed of a mate gun metal frame and a cobalt blue tiered glass crystal shade with decorative chrome pointed finial. ...
Metal
Grip Floor Lamp Designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos 1984
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Post-modern Grip floor lamp, designed by Achille Castiglioni, in 1985. manufactured by Flos, Italy. Painted Steel & Aluminum, Plastic. With makers bedge. The lamp creates a s...
Steel
Postmodern Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A Postmodern red and black adjustable desk lamp. Shade and base are a red enameled metal. Neck is adjustable. In fine working order for US electric.
Metal
$1,445 / item
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 26 x D 18 x H 37 cm Materials: Cristallo quartzite and cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also availabl...
Quartz, Metal